The Illinois Department of Transportation opposes raising the interstate speed limit to 70 mph as a threat to both motorists and roads, Secretary Ann Schneider said Wednesday in Springfield.

Schneider said the agency also is preparing a report for Gov. Pat Quinn recommending he oppose the change. The Illinois Senate voted 41-6 last week to raise the limit from 65 mph to 70 mph.

The Illinois House still must approve the measure.

“We have research that supports the fact that, when people drive faster, they are more likely to be in a crash, and they’re also more likely to be killed if they are in a crash,” Schneider said after a kickoff ceremony for “Motorcycle Awareness Month” at the Old State Capitol.

Bill sponsor Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, said the change simply would bring Illinois into line with most states. Cook and the collar counties, and St. Clair and Madison counties in the metro East St. Louis area could opt out of the 70 mph limit.

The bill is awaiting a hearing in the House Transportation and Vehicle Safety Committee.

Schneider said raising the speed limit would threaten years of gains in highway safety.

“Illinois right now has the seventh-lowest fatality rate on our highway system compared to all the other states,” Schneider said. “Of the 43 states that are higher than us in terms of their fatality rate, and that’s per million vehicle miles traveled, 70 percent of them have 70 mph or higher speed limits.”

Schneider added that she does not accept the argument that motorists already drive at 70 mph and up on Illinois interstates. “People tend to drive 5 to 10 miles per hour faster than whatever that speed limit is set up,” said Schneider. “It’s going to be just an impetus to drive even faster.”

Schneider said the report to the governor also would include estimates of increased damage to roads and bridges, especially by allowing heavy trucks to go faster.

“From an engineering perspective, we have concerns, though our top concern is our safety perspective,” said Schneider.

Quinn spokesman Brooke Anderson said the governor also has concerns but has not yet taken a position on the higher limit.

“Yes, we have safety concerns,” said Anderson. “We’ll review the bill if it reaches the governor’s desk.”